Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £18,424 to £22,070
Spacious, practical, high driving position, good visibility, quick witted stop/start, economy, huge boot.
Expensive, average to drive, you have to keep your foot on brake to activate the stop/start, dull.
Fuel-saving revisions are welcome, but B-Class continues to trail its competitors on price, drive and ability.
It might not drive as well as its rivals but there's one area where the B-Class leads and that's with its spacious cabin. Thanks to its lofty proportions, three adults can squeeze themselves into the rear without too much difficulty, although the tall might struggle for headroom.
Families too will appreciate the large 544-litre boot that is well over a third bigger than the modest Golf. If you spend £200 extra you can also gain a folding front passenger seat - ideal for carrying long loads.
Now the bad news. The Sport's body kit may go some way to smarten up the awkward looks, but it introduces a 10mm lower ride-height and stiffer springs. This plays havoc with the ride and with the wide 215/45 tyres plus 17" wheels the B-Class fidgets over anything but perfectly laid tarmac.
The Sport has a decent level of standard equipment gaining standard 17" wheels, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearknob and auto headlamps and wipers. The only noticeable exception is the lack of standard cruise control that rivals like the Volkswagen have as standard. Disappointing when you consider the substantial £19,707 list price.
